Orion's climb

The world was asleep already

and Orion was now aiming

sometimes at the moon

sometimes at the mountain.

At June’s nights

you can see it all clearly

the bow

the arrows

the arch

the tension of the grip

the release of the throw.

Because night rides are long

usually silent

and smell like soil

moisture

and stardust.

Bodies bear scents from the day just past

and they extend themselves

taller and sharper

under the stardome

perhaps looking for a place of theirs in between

to be viewed by eyes

in distance

and awe.

Sharpest than night bodies and nocturnal wishes

the mountain's peaks

stand sculptures alike

moveless & unmoved

looking down

on us

and

sometimes

it seems

looking down on the stars.

The world inverted

for all it's asked

– by night riders crossing highways darker than the sky –

who's on top

and where is the hunter aiming at

tonight?

June 2019,

Samothraki.